Phacelia monoensis

Halse

Mono County Phacelia

G3Vulnerable Found in 11 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
G3VulnerableGlobal Rank
High - mediumThreat Impact
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.159554
Element CodePDHYD0C4V0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicendemic to a single nation
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderSolanales
FamilyHydrophyllaceae
GenusPhacelia
Other Common Names
Mono Phacelia (EN) Mono phacelia (EN)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic Comments
The Intermountain Flora (Cronquist et al. 1984) synonymizes this taxon within the varieties of Phacelia lutea; Kartesz (1999) accepts it as a valid species.
Conservation Status
Rank MethodLegacy Rank calculation - Biotics v1
Review Date2019-04-16
Change Date1997-03-18
Edition Date2019-04-16
Edition AuthorsJ. Morefield (NVHP) (1999), rev. Treher (2019)
Threat ImpactHigh - medium
Range Extent5000-20,000 square km (about 2000-8000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences21 - 80
Rank Reasons
Phacelia monoensis occurs in the western reaches of the Basin and Range in California and Nevada. There are 17 occurrences in Nevada and 12 potentially extant occurrences in California. Most occurrences are historic and need to be surveyed for up to date information. The species benefits from moderate amounts of disturbance. Most occurrences are roadside: the roads the plants are found along were mostly built for the purposes of mineral exploration, so future mineral extraction or very aggressive road maintenance may threaten the species.This makes the long term stability of many of the current sites somewhat tenuous. Low seed production is reported as an issue at some sites.
Range Extent Comments
Phacelia monoensis occurs in the western reaches of the Basin and Range in California and Nevada.The southernmost occurrence is near Coso Peak in California and the northernmost is west of Carson City, Nevada.
Occurrences Comments
This species is known from 17 occurrences in Nevada and 12-14 in California. Most occurrences are historic, not surveyed for 20 or more years.
Threat Impact Comments
Some threats to the species include road construction and maintenance, mineral exploration, and development. While the species is rare but it responds well to disturbance: some of the largest populations are found along road cuts through its habitat.This may have aided in dispersal and establishment of new populations. However, care should be taken to avoid disturbances intensive or extensive enough to cause permanent impacts (J. Morefield, pers. comm., 2019). The species is also threatened by cattle and sheep grazing at some sites, not only is trampling an issue but nutrients from their dung enhances soil nutrients which creates favorable conditions for invasive species.
Ecology & Habitat

Habitat

Shrink-swell clay soils with a high pH and salt concentration, derived from andesitic volcanic material. EXCLUSIVELY RESTRICTED TO PLACES WHERE A ROAD CROSSES THIS HABITAT. It grows along with sagebrush, pinyon-juniper and rabbitbrush. Possibly its historic habitat was disturbed/churned clays (?) Tires are probably a seed dispersal agent - the sticky clay adheres to them. 1800-2720 m elevation in Nevada; 2225-2895 m in California.
Terrestrial Habitats
Woodland - ConiferShrubland/chaparral
Other Nations (1)
United StatesN3
ProvinceRankNative
CaliforniaS2Yes
NevadaS2Yes
Threat Assessments
ThreatScopeSeverityTiming
1 - Residential & commercial developmentUnknownUnknownHigh (continuing)
2 - Agriculture & aquacultureRestricted - smallSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
2.3 - Livestock farming & ranchingRestricted - smallSerious - slightHigh (continuing)
3 - Energy production & miningUnknownUnknownHigh - low
3.2 - Mining & quarryingUnknownUnknownHigh - low
4 - Transportation & service corridorsRestricted - smallUnknownHigh (continuing)
4.1 - Roads & railroadsRestricted - smallUnknownHigh (continuing)

Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)No
Roadless Areas (11)
California (5)
AreaForestAcres
Devil's Gate (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest9,946
Excelsior (CA)Inyo National Forest45,607
Mt. JacksonHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest20,721
Robinson PeakHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,835
West Walker (CA)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest495
Nevada (6)
AreaForestAcres
Boundary Peak (NV)Inyo National Forest21,851
Chineese Camp (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,207
Long ValleyHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest50,472
Mt. HicksHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest15,698
Pine Grove SouthHumboldt-Toiyabe National Forest88,945
West Walker (NV)Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest5,683
References (5)
  1. Cronquist, A., A.H. Holmgren, N.H. Holmgren, J.L. Reveal, and P.K. Holmgren. 1984. Intermountain Flora: Vascular Plants of the Intermountain West, U.S.A. Vol. 4, Subclass Asteridae (except Asteraceae). New York Botanical Garden, Bronx. 573 pp.
  2. Kartesz, J.T. 1988. A flora of Nevada. Ph.D. dissertation. Univ. of Nevada, Reno. 3 volumes. 1729 pp.
  3. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  4. Spahr, R., L. Armstrong, D. Atwood, and M. Rath. 1991. Threatened, endangered, and sensitive species of the Intermountain Region. U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT.
  5. Weixelman, D., and D. Atwood. 1990. Toiyabe National Forest sensitive plants field guide. U.S. Forest Service, Intermountain Region, Ogden, UT. 123 pp.